Her past catches up with her
I don't own Criminal Minds and/or Higher Ground. Might not be suitable for younger children. Mild vilence and some swearing.
Chapter 4
The next morning, the whole team had to be woke up by the doctor. "Excues me, Agent Hotchner."
"Yes, how's JJ. I mean Jennifer?" Hotch asks, still groggy.
"She's just fine. Everything went great. She'll have to be here for two or three days. Other than that she'll make a full recovery. I also wanted to thank the people who donated the blood. She didn't use it all. We'd like to keep a record incase they are back this way." They docotr says.
"I'll let them know. Thank you again doctor." Hotch says, shaking his hand.
"They're wheeling her into her room. You can see her as soon as the nurse comes for you. Well, good luck to you all. Take care." The doctor says. He walks away. Hotch wakes the rest of them.
"Morgan, Reid, Gideon, Prentiss, wake up. JJ's going to be fine. Morgan, can you go call Garcia and let her know that JJ's fine and we'll have JJ herself call her soon?" Hotch asks.
"Sure. After I see her for my own eyes. Then I can find the room after the call."
Five minutes later and nurse comes to the waiting room. "Jearau. People with Jearau."
"Right here. Can we see her now?" Hotch asks.
"Yes, for just a few minutes. She needs to rest. Only two at a time. You two first." She says, pointing at Hotch and Morgan. They follow her and say nothing. They enter the room and are taken aback. Hotch walks over to the bed and grabs JJ's hand. Morgan positions on the other side of JJ. Hotch gently wisps away of a piece of hair from her face. JJ wakes up and smiles.
"Hey there sweetie. How ya feelin'?" Hotch asks, smiling back at her.
"Hotch, what's happening?"
"JJ, you had an accident. You had to have surgery. Are you in any pain?"
"No. Just a little tired. Where's Gideon, Reid and Prentiss?" JJ asks.
"Honey, they'll be coming in a few minutes. We can only be here in pairs. Morgan's going to call Garcia. So she'll now you're ok. We've all been worried about you. Can I get you anything?"
"No. I think I'm good. Officer Jensen, what happened with him?"
"He got held up on a case. He got word that you were here. He's going to stop by later." Hotch says.
"JJ, I donated my blood. Forgive me?" Morgan says, giving JJ puppy dog eyes.
"Yes, you're forgiven. Sorry I was so crabby. I just haven't been myself lately. I don't know what's with me." JJ looks away.
"It's ok. You just get better fast. We're going to let everyone else come see you so you can get back to sleep." Hotch says, bending over and kissing her on the cheek. Morgan follows suit on the other cheek. Hotch and Morgan leave, and Reid and Gideon walk in a few minutes later.
"Hi guys. See, I'm fine. Thanks for caring. I'm just real tired. Can we talk a little later. I know Prentiss wants to come and see me, but I'm just so tired. Could you just explain it to her. I'll call you when I wake up. Thank you for coming. Sorry for cutting this short. See you guys later?" JJ says, yawning repeatedly.
"Sure JJ. No problem. You rest. We'll talk later." Gideon bends down and kisses her on the cheek. Reid says nothing, but kisses her on the other cheek. Then they leave.
Eight o'clock that night, JJ calls Peter and Sophie and asks them to come to the hospital in the morning. They agree.
The next morning Peter and Sophe knock and slowly walk in the room. JJ's flicking through the channels of the TV.
"Agent Jearau?" Peter says.
"Yes? Oh, Peter! Sophie! Get in here!" JJ says, excited.
"So, your a big time FBI agent. I see you're doing very well for yourself." Peter says.
"Yeah, I'm oddly enough in the behavior anylasis unit. I help children. I go after all the bad people. I've seen a lot of things in my short time being an agent. Mostly I spin the info to the news people. I've been in a few field cases as well. But all in all I'm happy. I just hate lying to my small circle of friends. And my bosses." JJ says, her smile faded.
"But you have to sweetheart. You don't want to be found by Walt or Josh. Have the FBI guys kept you in the loop about Walt and Josh?" Peter asks.
"No. I have been tracking them myself. Did you know they both have been released! I can't even warn Jess! I kind of was shocked to see you guys walk into Rusty's last night. I bumped into the bar counter, lost my grip on the glasses and dropped them. Of course I landed on them. You can't imagine how many times I wished I could call you or come see you. Like one of our recent cases, I had to shoot dogs. They were going to rip me apart! I'd seen what was left of this lady. I felt so guilty because Spence was taken and tortured. I shouldn't have let him separate from me. It was like leaving Jess all over again. Even Morgan blamed me." JJ says, almost shedding tears.
"Honey, it wasn't your fault. You just feel like you have to protect everyone. It can't be done. Does Spence blame you?" Sophie asks.
"No. But Spence wouldn't say that to me even if I were to blame." JJ says. Then Reid walks in.
"Hey JJ. Oh, I didn't know you had company. Would you like to be alone?" Reid asks politely.
"No! Spence, this is Peter and Sophie Scarbrow. They're the couple, Officer Brady's old high school teachers," JJ says, smiling. Reid shakes their hands. "Peter, Sophie. This is Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid." JJ says.
"Yes, I remember them from last night. Nice to see you two again." Spencer says politley.
"Nice to see you again as well. So you two work together." Peter says, making conversation.
"We sure do. So you guys take care of troubled teens. Hey, do you have any interesting stories of the high school?" Spence asks.
"What about the time I caught some of the girls smoking? What was their punishment for that?" Peter asks with a big grin. "Oh, the caking baking incedent. I thought that they'd make a cake from scratch. Frankenstien looked better then that cake. I remember Daisy saying that we must kill it." Peter says, laughing with JJ. "We were making it for Hannah. She even feared it. Sophie won't let me be alone in the kitchen for fear I'll try to bake again." Peter says through laughs.
"What about the Morp?" Sophie says.
"What's a Morp?" Reid asks.
"It's a back words Prom. No dates. No one will feel left out." Peter says. "I've recently talked to Scott. An old student. He's married and has a son. Their expecting their second child in a couple months. Scott Jr.'s three. Their having a girl. Guess what their naming her?" Peter asks.
"Sophie." JJ guesses.
"No. Shelby Ann Barringer." Peter says.
"OH!" JJ says, crying.
"I didn't mean to make you cry." Peter says, trying to comfort JJ.
"Have you heard from any others?" JJ asks wiping her tears away.
"Daisy's still single. She's a psychologist." Peter says, then Sophie, Peter and JJ bust out laugh simultaneously.
"What makes that funny?" Reid asks.
"Because Daisy was goth and she didn't care about anyone. Or so she liked to lead to people to believe." Sophie says.
"Juliette and Auggie got married. She's a fashion editor for a magazine. And Auggie has his own gallery." Peter says.
"Not 'Just Juls'! Wow!" JJ says.
"Yup. That's the one." Sophie says.
"Sounds like most of your old students do real good." JJ says.
"Ezra died from a gun shot wound. He was walking into a convient store that was being robbed. Even when he was down, he saved a couple of young kids. He died at the scene." Peter says.
"Oh Gees! When?" JJ asks through tears.
"Five years ago. There's a memorial Park with his name. And David's over in Iraq." Peter says.
"Wow. That's wonderful." JJ says.
"Kind of. Now he and his father fight together." Sophie says.
"Well, I guess that's mature. So how did you guys come to the idea of a school in the woods and have it be for troubled kids?" JJ asks.
"We actually bou…" Peter starts to talk , but is interrupted by officer Jensen, who walks into her room.
"Hey how you feelin'?" Officer Jensen asks.
"Much better, thanks." JJ says.
"These two are the people I was talking about." Officer Jensen says.
"I wanted to apologize for not having dinner with you. I'm hoping we can have a rain check. I should be released in a day or two. I really have to get back to work. We have to get Maggie back. If my theory's right, she's not in danger. But as I stated, it's a theory. Hell, can you hand me my cloths to me?' JJ asks, anyone.
"No! You're staying until the doctor releases you. We need you in tip top shape." Hotch says walking in on the conversation.
"So, is Maggie found? Was my theory right?" JJ asks.
"Yes. We found Maggie with her half brother and his friend at a hotel in the next town over. The lady the neighbor girl says was driving was a guy friend. He just had long hair. He wasn't going to hurt Maggie. He just wanted to get to know his sibling. They're all reunited about an hour ago. John Fellows' getting to know the son he never got a chance to know. You should take the profiler exam. You really are starting to catch on." Hotch says, smiling.
"Everyone did their paper work, right?" JJ asks with hope.
"Yes. You know they're all secretly scared of the paper work Nazi." Hotch says with a held back laugh.
"Hey! Aaron Hotchner, you don't want to cross me!" JJ says, mockingly stern.
"No ma'am. She can get vicious." Hotch jokingly says to everyone in the room.
"I need all the paper work. I can't officially close this case without ALL of the paper work." JJ says.
"Your parents must have done a great job with you." Sophie says, smiling like a proud mom.
"Yes, they did. Thank you for saying so. JJ says smiling. "Hotch, when can I get out of here? I thought we'd go see the Scarbrows' school before we leave. I also would like to stop by the Fellows' home and apologize for not being there to bring Maggie home with you guys. I can have my doctor at home keep progress of my head and leg. Plus, I have a ton of paper work to get caught up on. I'll be careful at the school. Please!" JJ says, like a kid at Christmas, begging to open one gift early.
"We'll see about tomorrow. Alright? I'll go talk to the doctor. But you have to follow the instructions of the doctor to the letter. And you and I have to have a talk on the plane ride home. Deal?" Hotch says, in his stern boss voice.
"Deal sir." JJ says, seriously. Hotch walks out the door.
"When would be a good time for us to come for a visit? Officer Jensen, will you join us?" JJ asks Peter and Brady.
"After you get out of the hospital. If your up to it. I know you have to get back to your main office. Brady, can you join us?" Peter says.
"I'm sure sheriff Brown will be fine with this. Agent Jearau, after words would you accompany me to lunch?" Brady asks.
"I think that would be great." JJ says, smiling.
Hotch walks in, "The doc's going to be giving you a crutch. You're to keep all your weight off that leg. He also wants a call or fax from your doctor at home. He's getting the lab work together. He'll tell us how you're doing. This will determine how well your healing. Then he'll tell us when the earliest release date will be. Mr. and Mrs. Scarbrow, we'll be thrilled to come up to your school. We'll find out when, shortly." Hotch says.
"Great! We'll go get set up and you just give us a call with the date and time. If you need anything, just call." Peter says, pulling Sophie out the door. Prentiss, Gideon and Morgan walk in.
"Hey sweetheart! Here. Get better." Morgan says, handing JJ a bouquet of flowers with a small balloon attached.
"How you feeling JJ?" Gideon asks, handing JJ a card and a small box.
"Fine. Really, I'm fine. The doctor's checking labs. With the results, he might let me out sooner. As soon as I'm out of here we're going to the Scarbrows' school. I can't wait. What's taking so long?" JJ asks impatiently.
"Calm down sister." Prentiss says, handing JJ a card and a bag of chocolate covered peanuts.
"Thanks Em. I just hate being laid up. Especially away from home. I'm worried about Mrs. Mason. I called her yesterday and got no answer." JJ says, worried and a little scared for her dear friend.
"We'll be home soon enough. Gideon, can I see you in the hall?" Hotch asks.
"Sure. Excuse me." Gideon says and walks out into the hall with Hotch. "What's up Aaron?"
"I got a call from Garcia last night. Mrs. Mason was killed and both their houses were ransacked. I'm worried about JJ, so I had Martha Mason checked out by Garcia. I wanted to make sure there was a Mrs. Mason. I'm trying to figure out what's been bothering her lately. I want to tell her when we're on the plane on the way home. We also need to get her to tell us why someone would want to trash her and Mrs. Mason's house. There's something really bad going on and I don't want JJ hurt by this because she feels she can't talk to us about it." Hotch says, worried like a dad.
"What could she possibly have that would cause someone to kill a defenseless old woman?" Gideon asks.
"We'll find out soon enough. Let's ask Emily or Garcia if she can stay with them for a while until we get to the bottom of this. JJ isn't going to like this, but she's going to have to understand." Hotch says.
The doctor and nurse walk past them and into JJ's room. "Ok, Jennifer. The tests are back. Your blood's clotting perfectly. No infection has accurrred. I don't see any real need to keep you. Nurse Vandale will get you set up and on your way. Be very careful young lady. That could have been much worse. I'll expect a call or fax in a few days. If I don't, I'll be calling Agent Hotchner and he'll deal with you accordingly. Take care of yourself. Bye bye." Doctor Ashner says.
"Thank you so much doctor. Bye bye doctor." JJ says
"Ok, this paper's to release you. This paper says that you understand and agree with what I just told you. Do you have any questions?" Nurse Vandale asks.
"I don't think so." JJ says.
"Here's a prescription for Darvacet for the pain. This is a script for kelfex, an antibiotic for fighting any infection. Don't take either one until after noon. Then follow the instructions on the bottle. Sign here and I'll take out the I.V." Nurse Vandale says.
Back at the police station, Officer Jensen oks his time away from the station with Sheriff Brown. The BAU team just pulls up in front of the station. They made a detour to the hotel so JJ could shower and change cloths for the mountain school visit. They're meeting Officer Jensen at the station to go with him to the school. Brady Jensen's so excited to revisit his favorite place on the planet with the beautiful Jennifer Jearau. Prentiss comes into the station to retreve Officer Jensen and be on their way.
"Officer Jensen, are you ready?"
"Yes Agent Prentiss. I'll be back later. If you need me, I'll have the two-way on." Brady says.
Him and Prentiss walk out. They're carrying on a conversation. Prentiss laughs. This bothers JJ. She doesn't know why. Then it hits her that she's jealous. Like Emily's trying to take Brady away from her. She then realizes that it's the way Shelby felt with Juliette and Scott. She tries to stop thinking about it, so she tries to take her mind off that and place it somewhere else. She gets excited thinking of seeing her old school that she loved. Prentiss and Jensen get into the SVU.
"Hello Jennifer. Are you feeling better?" Brady asks.
"Yes, thanks for your concern." JJ says, still sitting straight forward. Brady picks up on the tension JJ's putting out.
"Agent Prentiss, just go straight up this road. Just keep going. It leads right up to the parking lot of the school. " Brady says and sits back. He stays silent the whole drive up.
As they pull up to the school, JJ notices the admissions building and that cute mother bear and her cub totem pole. So far she doesn't notice anything different. Well, except maybe the students. She sees the students as being younger. Then she thinks, no it's her that's older. She smiles. Peter and Sophie come out of the admissions building and down the stairs to greet them. They all pile out of the two black SUVs.
"Hey, you guys made it! Did you want a tour first?" Peter asks.
"Sure."Hotch says.
"Great! Follow me." Sophie says. Just as they start to head into the admissions building, a young girl comes running up to Peter and Sophie.
"Peter! Sophie!" The girl yells.
"What Jade?" Peter asks.
"Will's run away! He left about fifteen minutes ago." Jade says.
"Is there anything we can do?"Hotch asks.
"Yeah. Jade go back to your dorm. We'll have a talk as soon as we get Will. Agent Hotchner, can you drive me down the road a little ways?" Peter asks.
"Sure. Would you like Gideon to came too? He's real good with psychology. Maybe he can help Will realize this is the best place for him." Hotch says.
"That would be great. I haven't had a kid this determined to leave since Scott Barringger." Peter says, frustrated.
The three men hurry over to the SUV and climb in. Sophie and the others just watch.
"Sophie, do you want me to call Curtis?" Brady asks.
"I think we should wait. Peter might find him. If Peter calls and can't find him, then we'll call Curtis in. Peter always knows just where to find the runners. It's like he's a radar. Would you like something to drink or eat?" Sophie asks.
"No! Sophie, we don't want to drive away your guests." Brady says, then laughs.
"Oh Brady! You're going to scare these nice people into thinking the food's bad here. I know it's not gourmet, but it does it's intended job." Sophie says smiling.
"I'd like something to drink. Maybe an apple, if you don't mind. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. I haven't had lunch. I don't think you can count a cup of tea and piece of toast lunch." JJ says.
"Sure, no problem. Follow me." Sophie says, motioning toward the dinning hall.
JJ uses the crutch, but isn't used to it. She accidently puts the crutch into a sink whole. She's knocked off balance.
"Ahhhhh!" JJ yells. She starts to fall. Brady catches her.
"Wooh! You ok?" Brady asks, with JJ nessled in Bradys arms.
"Yeah. Thanks. Could you help me stand up please. Can someone hand me that stupid crutch?" JJ says with a red face from embarrassment.
"Here you go. Are you sure you're ok?" Reid asks, feeling a little jealous.
"I'm fine. Just the klutz in me. If I didn't fall at least five times with this crutch, I'd worry about pod people taking over my body." JJ says, trying to joke about her klutziness.
"Would you like some help?" Brady asks.
"Just make sure I don't cause a kid to go running in the opposite direction, ok?" JJ says, smiling.
"Here, lean on me and use the crutch on the other side. We can get you to be an expert on that crutch." Brady says, then realizes that it didn't sound right. "I mean…"
"I know what you mean. Let's go get that drink. Here we go." JJ says, a little better on the crutch.
Sophie thought that it's cute to see those two nervous and awkward. It was like seeing Shelby and Scott falling in love all over again. They reach the dinning hall. They hear a comotion coming from the dinning room. Sophie and Morgan rush in to see what's going on.
"HEY! Stop this!" Sophie yells, trying to get the two guys to stop fighting. Sophie and Morgan pull the two boys apart. "Hank! Eli! What's going on with you two?"
"Eli's trying to take Barb from me. He's moving in on my territory." Hank says.
"Hello, Barb isn't your property. You two aren't married. Chill." Eli says.
"I'll chill you!"Hank says, leaping at Eli. Trying to get another shot at Eli.
"Hey! What's wrong with you two? You know better to fight. I'm calling a group meeting. Brady, could you keep them company while I deal with this?" Sophie asks.
"Sure. Do you want me to give them the tour?"Brady asks.
"You can show them around. Nothing too formal. Not until Peter and the other two agents get back. Thanks Brady." Sophie says, patting Brady's arm. "Thank you for your help with that situation Agent Morgan."
"No problem. I understand completely. You let us know if there's anything else we can do." Morgan says.
As Sophie heads to the space by the fireplace, the rest of them head to the tables. JJ's the first to sit down. A flood of memories wash over JJ. She remembers eating with her small knit family.
Flash
"Shelby, can I have your bacon?" Scott asks.
"Sure. It's like drywall anyway. Here. Eat in good health." Shelby says, in her Shelby attitude.
"So, Shel. What did Peter want to talk to you about?" Kat asks out of curiocity.
"Nothing. Ok, fine. It's my grades. He gave me this big cheery speech about how I'll need my grades to be good because I need to get into a good college. Yeah right. Like I can afford college. Anyhow, we're going to go out to that stupid wall thing again." Shelby was lying. Peter told her that she's going to be going home to her abusive step-father, Walt. She didn't want the others to know. It would just hurt even more. She didn't know what to do about Walt. Sure, he had a heart attack, but she always thought you had to have a heart first. She doesn't know if she's going to tell her best friend, Daisy. She'll miss her. Even Juliette.
Flash
"JJ! Are you ok?" Reid asks.
"What?" JJ reponses, not hearing everything in her quick time tavel back to reality.
"Are you ok? You were making a noise. Do you want juice or water?" Reid asks.
"I'm fine. I think it's the meds. I think I'll take the water. With ice please." JJ says.
"The kids have to cook and clean. They pretty much do all the chores. It gets shifted around to all the different groups. Like one week your on laundry. The next week your on dishes. And if you don't participate, you don't get to eat on plates. Or you wear dirty cloths. It's a method of teaching consequents. It's a great method." Brady says, talking to Prentiss and Morgan.
JJ sits there watching the children all around the two connected room. JJ sees the group meeting going on in the other room. She recalls one of her last meetings. It was the day of the Morp.
Flash
Shelby's angry that Scott's leaving and Juliette and Shelby fought over a dress. Sophie made them go for a run. Then she sat them both down and did a therapy technique. They had to be the other person and state why they were fighting. If they weren't honest, then they wouldn't be able to go to the Morp. That's when Shelby realized that she was trying to ruin something that couldn't go her way.
Flash
JJ's wondering if coming back here's a big mistake. All these memories coming back in a title wave. Reid comes back with the water and sees JJ sitting there. She wasn't doing anything but staring. Her face's pale. Reid calls her name a couple of time and gets not response. He finally has to touch JJ's shoulder. She snaps back into the present once again.
"JJ, hello. Where were you?" Reid asks, handing JJ a cool cup of water.
"Sorry, just thinking. Thank you for getting my water. So, have you talked to any of the kids?" JJ asks Reid.
"Yeah, this one girl asked me if I was a new student. How embarrassing is that?" Reid says, with some laughter.
"Well Reid, you're quite young. No one around here knows that you're a genius. Did you ask her what her name is?" JJ asks.
"No. When I told her that I wasn't a student, she ran off. I felt like a had two heads or something. I never thought she'd react that way. It's a little strange. I hope she's ok. She seems to have something bothering her." Reid says.
"Maybe she could sense that she could talk to you. But when she found out that you weren't a student, she didn't want to get your hopes up that she'd tell you. She probably looks at you as the enemy. You know, a grown up. It's hard for a teen to trust adults." JJ says.
"When did you become a profiler. I'm thinking the same thing. I thought maybe you could find her and see if she would talk to you." Reid says.
"I'd love to help her, but I think I'd be stepping on Peter and Sophie's toes. If they don't mind, then I'd be happy to help. What did she look like?" JJ asks. But before Spencer could answer her, Brady chims in.
"Agent Reid, could you help me in the kitchen. I had Peter and Sophie pick something up on their way back home. It's to big for me to carry on my own. Agent Morgan, could you and Agent Prentiss help Agent Jearau to the den. Have her sit on the sofa, and blind fold her." Brady asks.
"Sure. This outta be fun." Morgan says.
"Agent Morgan, let's keep it clean around the students please. Peter would kick my can if I didn't say that. Sorry." Brady says.
"No problem. Sorry, I forgot where I'm at. Ok, come with us Miss Jearau." Morgan says, lifting JJ up under her arm pits.
"Morgan! I can get up on my own. He ment just to help me by standing on one side and Prentiss on the other. I also have my crutch!" JJ yells, making a scene.
"I'm sorry JJ. You don't have to yell at me. What's wrong with you?" Morgan asks, more concerned than hurt.
"I'm sorry Morgan, I need to go for a walk and get some air. Could you please tell Officer Jensen that I'll return soon. I just really need some air. I won't go to far. I know I'm supposed to stay off my leg. I just need to get out of this building." JJ says, hurrying as fast as she could out of the building. Prentiss and Morgan never seen her move that fast and with a crutch.
JJ walks outside and sees all the kids out there. Each group doing their own thing. Some were working on a garden. Some were playing basketball and soccer. Others just sat around talking. JJ then saw this young girl sitting all by herself on the dock. She had blond hair like JJ. JJ's getting this vibe from her that she just had to meet this girl. So JJ hobbled over to the dock.
"Hello, do you mind if I sit here too?" JJ asks.
"Sure, it's a free country." The young girl says with no emotion.
"Hi, I'm Jennifer." JJ asks.
"I'm whoever you want me to be." The girl says, not taking her eyes off the lake.
"Oh, come on. Really, what's your name?" JJ says, getting a little frustrated.
"Molly! Ok! It's Molly!" Molly yells, finally looking at JJ. When JJ sees her face, a pain cuts deep in JJ's heart. Molly's face was black and blue. There was hardly any place that wasn't black or blue.